No last AFL hurrah for Docker Dawson: Lyon

Aug 16, 2017 - 5:32 PM
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has confirmed Zac Dawson won't be given an AFL farewell match, saying there is no point chewing up an opportunity when the club needs to focus on youth.

Dawson hasn't played since being axed following the club's round two thrashing at the hands of Port Adelaide.

The Dockers immediately turned to youth following that match, with Garrick Ibbotson and Danyle Pearce other veterans who have fallen out of favour this season.

Dawson is out of contract at the end of the season, and has already been told his services are no longer required.

The 166-game veteran has spent most of the season playing in the unfamiliar role of a forward at WAFL club Peel Thunder.

Dawson has been one of Lyon's favourite players over the years, with the pair spending nine seasons together at St Kilda and Fremantle.

Lyon helped Dawson revive his career after the defender was cut loose by Hawthorn in 2008.

But the veteran coach confirmed Dawson wouldn't be handed one last game on the AFL stage.

"He's really comfortable in his own skin," Lyon said.

"He said, 'I don't need to validate my career with a farewell game or jump in a car and go around the MCG'.

"He goes, 'It doesn't interest me, that's not how I measure myself'.

"And we'd prefer to give Sam Collins an opportunity. Clearly Zac won't be here next year so we don't need to chew up an opportunity for the sake of it."

Dawson ends his career without a flag, despite playing in four grand finals.

Fremantle are also set to part ways with injury-prone ruckman Zac Clarke at the end of the season, while the futures of Ibbotson and Pearce are also up in the air.

Goalsneak Hayden Ballantyne is expected to earn a new one-year deal.

Fremantle will be aiming to bounce back from last week's 104-point loss to Sydney when they take on Richmond at Domain Stadium on Sunday.